Delta State to host rain-struck GSC tourney

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Due to the flooding in Millington, Tenn. May 1, the 2010 Morgan Keegan GSC Baseball Tournament has been moved to the campus of Delta State University and Ferriss Field with play beginning Monday.

The 2010 edition of the Tournament promises to be a memorable event as five GSC teams are in strong contention for an NCAA postseason berth and three others look for the automatic bid into the South Regional. Leading the way are West Division Champions Southern Arkansas (39-6, 18-2 GSC, No. 4 CBN), the top-ranked team in the South Region. The Muleriders suffered their only Conference defeats last weekend at Delta State but have never been ranked outside the top five in any of the three national polls all season

Arkansas Tech returns to the GSC postseason for the first time since 2007, this year as the No. 2 seed in the West. The Wonder Boys (34-17, 14-6) are ranked seventh in the Region as they aim for their first-ever NCAA postseason berth. No. 18 Delta State (34-14-1, 13-7) enters as its lowest seed since the league expanded in 1994 at No. 3. The Statesmen enter play as the No. 6 team in the South Region. Rounding out the West Division is first-time participant Henderson State. The Reddies (31-16, 12-8) clinched their first-ever postseason berth since joining the NCAA and GSC in 1994.

No. 30 West Florida won its third East Division Championship and second outright as they enter the postseason ranked fifth in the Region. The Argos (34-16, 11-3) are the top seed in the East for the first time since 2004. No. 14 Valdosta State (37-14, 10-4) punched its fourth consecutive ticket to the Tournament and have been a different seed each year. In 2007, the Blazers were the fourth seed before winning the East Division in 2008 and finishing third last season. VSU is ranked fourth in the South

North Alabama makes its return to Millington after missing last season’s event. The Lions (27-22, 8-7) have the second-most Tournament appearances (20) in GSC history. Alabama-Huntsville (25-14, 5-7) makes its second consecutive trip to Millington after missing the postseason four straight years. The Chargers’ only GSC Championship came in 2001 when they were the last team to get in the postseason as they were this year.